Electrical contact alloy of platinum group metal and zinc and method of making same



Oct. 14, 1958 D. L. HALL ETAL ELECTRICAL CONTACT ALLOY OF PLATINUM GROUP METAL ANn- ZINC AMD METHOD oF MAKING SAME Filed sept. 27. 1952 l 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 o moor o noo.: 0.-. ...m3-.im

DONIVN L. HALL ARTHUR E. MINI-ETC" BY EARL R. oLsoN AUvs:

6 Sheets-Sheet 2 mnor z NEC.

OEE. Ew ow m mo ATTYS.

a M m En VA WH L M N m BOUEId N o T E L D mu. M E R u H T R A BSVSUONI LHSIBM 1N EIOBd N O S 0 R. L R A E Y B E995 EDS ma OC- 14, 1958 D. L. HALL ET AL ELECTRICAL CONTACT ALLOY OF PLATINUM GROUP A METAL AND zINc AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME: Filed sept. 27, 1952 a, 9 o' asvauom M m M M.

.EYNI L2:

Oct. 14, 1958 D. L. HALL ETAL- 2,856,491

, ELECTRICAL CONTACT ALLOY 0E PLATINUM GROUP METAL AND ZINC AND METHOD DE MAKING SAME Filed Sept. 27. 1952 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG.II

,By 5MM EL 5% Oct. 14,- 1958 v D. L. HALL ETAL 2,856,491

ELECTRICAL CONTACT ALLOY OF PLATINUM GROUP METAL AND ZINC AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME Filed Sept. 27, 1952 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG. I2

0d 14, 1958 D. L. HALL E'r AL 2,856,491

ELECTRICAL CONTACT ALLOY oF PLATINUM GROUP METAL AND ZINC AND METHOD 0F MAKING SAME Filed Sept. 27. 1952 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG.

D. L. HALL ETAL ELECTRICAL CONTACT ALLOY OF PLATINUM GROUP METAL AND ZINC AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME Filed Sept. 27. 1952 FIG FIG.

Oct. 14, 19.58

United States Patent ELECTRICAL CONTACT ALLOY OF PLATINUM GROUP METAL AND ZINC AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME Donlvan L. Hall, Galion, and Arthur E. Middleton and Earl R. Olson, Columbus, Ohio, assignors, by direct and mesne assignments, to North Electric Company, a corporation of Ohio l Application September 27, 1952, Serial No. 311,872

s claims. (ci. o-4166) The present invention relates lto a new and novel alloy composition which is particularly adapted for use in electrical equipment, to a method of making same, and to an electrical member made therefrom. In particular, the

present invention relates to novel electrical contact members which are especially adapted for use in telephony, telegraphy, and other co-related fields.

There is a definite need in the electrical field for a contact material which exhibits a reasonable life span in its use in the field, this problem having been set forth in some detail in a co-pending application which was filed by Hall et al. on July 10, 1951, which received Serial No. 235948, now U. S. Patent No. 2,787,688, issued April 21957, and which was assigned to the assignees of this invention. The application set forth an answer to this problem in the form of a novel electrical contact member of a palladium-zinc alloy which proved successful in its use in telephone relay equipment.

One speciic problem which existed prior to the 'discovery` of this alloy was the inability of contacts made of i existing materials to withstand the deteriorating eects of repeated pulsing in circuits of relatively low current and high inductance, which contacts include conventional contact protection.

Life tests have indicated that an increased life span of 10 to 20 times may be expected with the use of contacts made of the alloy of the co-pending application. Further, the inherent properties of contacts made of this alloy are such as to reduce erosion, avoid sticking, and eliminate open circuits (that is, the material has a high resistance to the formation of an insulatinglm).

The present disclosure is a continuation-impart of the aforementioned application, and has as its object the provision of other novel alloys comprised of members of the platinum family and zinc, which may be used in similar applications to provide a further answer to these problems. It is understood that the platinum family includes as members thereof platinum, palladium, iridium, osmium, ruthenium and rhodium. It is a specific object of the invention to provide novel alloys of this family in a solid mass which lend themselves for use as contacts in the telephone field.

These, and other objects and advantages of the present invention, will become more apparent from the following detailedl description, examples and drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an apparatus arrangement for producing the new andY novel composition of the present invention;

Figure 2 s a diagrammatic side elevation view of a device showing an arrangement of elements on a tray for high production purposes;

Figure 3 is an end view of the device shown in Figi ure 2;

2,856,49i Patented Oct. 14, 1958 Figure 6 is another schematic diagram of an apparatus arrangement, similar to Figure l, but designed for continuous operation;

Figure 7 is a diagram of a system arranged for continuous batch operation;

Figure 8 is a diagram showing the effect on the weight increase with temperature variations;

Figure 9 is a diagram showing the rate of weight increase with time;

Figure 10 is an enlarged polished and etched crosssectional photomicrographic view of a novel composition of the present invention showing the casing, -and the irst and second phases obtained with a given treatment;

Figure 11 is an enlarged, polished, cross-sectional view showing a contact element of the present invention mounted on an iron nickel base and showing the fillet 5%, 10% 15% and 20% zinc respectively.

It has now been discovered that by treating platinum,

and other members of the platinum family singly or in combinations in the presence of an adequate concentration of zinc vapor at a given temperature and for a given period of time, the zinc is caused to diffuse into the member or members of the platinum family to form a composition of matter which is characterized by remarkable wear and endurance properties. In the use of platinum alone, for example, the resulting material may take the form of a casing on a platinum rich core, or a plurality of phases emibited in the thickness. Phase, as used in the specification and in the claims, means a homogeneous, physically distinct portion of an alloy. It is evident that by selecting different members of the platinum family and by varying the percentage by weight of zinc in the resultant alloys a variety of phases of varying thicknesses can be produced in the resultant alloy. Each phase exhibits given characteristics whereby the various phases may have preferred applications in keeping with It has been discovered, for example,-

its characteristics. that the first phase, or alternatively a first phase core with a second phase casing, are particularly well suited for use as electrical contacts, it having been proven by comparative tests that a member having these phase embodiments will have a life expectancy of at least ten times the life of contacts made of conventional materials. The Pt5Zn21 phase of this alloy exhibits other desirable characteristics, such as extreme hardness.

This new and novel alloy has good electrical and thermal conductivity in each phase, is readily secured to current carrying members or armatures, and is more resistant to the formation of chlorides, hydroxides, oxides and sulides than a number of materials now commonly used in electrical equipment.

Platinum and zinc have hardnesses of 55 to 100 and 40 to 50 Knoop numbers respectively. However the alloys of platinum and zinc have a Knoop number of greater value than the platinumfand zinc have individualfly. For example, the alloy in its first, or alpha, phase may contain approximately up to 10% by weight of zinc, the balance platinum and has a hardness of Knoop numbers; in its second, or PtZn, phase, the alloy will comprise a tetragonal form of platinum-zinc alloy con.

taining from about 10 to about 35% by weight of zinc and has a hardness of 200-275 Knoop numbers; and in a higher phase the alloy will take the form PtZug; C031 scribed hereinafter.

taining'about 60% zinc' and they balance platinum, and has a hardness ofi 3'50 Knoop numbers.

A member made of the alloy in one, several or lalll of l the aforegoing phases may be provided by-.varyingkthe process as desired these Ymeth'o'dshihg'A, more fully" `de which the noble metal platinumis allo'ye'dwith'zinc-)to` pr`ovide"a sold"mas's'"alloy' of onejjor moreupreferredphases,v and a novel method of providing'nah electrical Contact of that materialarejnow"set forthl .'hereat,`

'in general, anew `andlnovel Contact of the presentllinf vention may be prepared by diffusing 'zinc intoplatinurn,

or a memberrof the platinum'family, athighjterhperaturesin the` presence of a rronoxidihinggaslwQne :,syfster'n yand.;method 'are `set forth" in Figure', `l ,of the'l l A it being. understood that;h variations "of the system will effectl correspondin'gjchangee ofA time; temperatprehetel,

antllare ,c onsid`eied-V toffbe withinthe' scope. of thisinyen.

y As there shown, thesystemis'rstushedlwith r'nitrogenwlllich is passed through a `'copper deoxidizerfvl tion.

and rdrying towers 2 2' and into a lquartz reaction'tube 3 of a globarfurnace 4, and thence. to thehood; After f '.u'shing, a .vali/e5 between thedrying Qtov/ersfand the tube is turnedon to introduce fa continuousstreamof 'inert ory reducingga's lint the system after lWhich theV 'l nitrogends` cut o.;AVycor or ruetfallboaty having a longj handle, j'schematical1`y-` indicated' at and contain-A ing platinum contacts,y or contacts.-offa metalcf the platinumfamily;,andan excess of a1 sourcenofzingis thenpushed` in t'ofthehotzone` of the quartz tubejzSi/of 1, therfurnace. Itis notfnecessary that the zinc sourcebe'` placed in physical Contact with the platinum or platinum family contacts.

Thej'system is operated `at elevatedptemperaturesfor periodsof 1/2` hour to several hours, at`the end ofr which time the contact members comprise the `novel .Platinum-1.

ainealloy." yThe contacts are then permitted to cool Forr example, 21..I1ove1 fmet hod`fby ing:

therein and up'on removal are ready forirnmediate use f process, or that the Zinc source be piled around the` contacts; for the zincvapor appears to very readilyfdiff` fuse through allthe surfaces of the contactstoprovil'eV an` even and; uniform penetration thereof.

As`sho,wn in FiguresrZ, 3V and 4 one method"ofprof ducing"`th`e platinum-zinc. or zinc platinum familygonl` ta'ct`s-in"`quanti`t`y maycomprise placement of the platinum contacts Sin slots `12 of a ceramic tray A1.3 in a boatfor holder 15 With'a sheet14 being insertedthereabove as the zinclsource. f

lnFigure 5 there is shown another apparatus similar to that'shown in Figure 1 except that themzinc vapor from the zinc retort distiller 21 isled throughpiping,22.;k

surrounded by heating elements 23" tomfaifntain "them-zinc in avaporized` form, to` a mixing valve Zlltfvvhere` it is fed into theA hot: zone of the globar furnace.. .4 to con tact the platinum or platinum family elements `supported in the holder 6. The `amount of theziuc vapor entering the system and incontact with the platinum as Well` as the gas ow rate, can be very easily" controlled by means of the valves in the lines leading to the furnace. A back pressure line 25 suppliesgas under pressure to force the zinc vapor toward the furnace. It is to be understood that means for collecting the excess zinc at the exit of the tube can be employed so that the zinc may be re-used in lieu of thezinc vapor recirculating system.

A` method for .continuously treating a platinum wire or strip is illustrated in Figure 6 and, as there shown,

the platinum Wire or strip is passed from a roll 31 intoI the furnace` and is pulledV through thefllrnace by means of rollers 3ft- 34 where a knife or other separating means I desired] and its' design andeihciency,` lan'exces ofzinc'1 4 35-35 segments it into'the desired lengths36 Awhich' fall on conveyors 37.y The speed .with which the wire passes through the furnace may 'be varied to altery the time of treatment of the passing metal. The zinc vapor and nonoxidizing gas ymay be ledy into the furnace through the same port 38 or "through separate control means. Therwire may beA serratedl by suitable notching. means 39-39.at predetermined intervals alongits length prior tok entry into the furnace 4 and, .as a result'` ofI the thinnesslof the material at the 'point of the serratiorny `the casing will form on ay greaterr portiony of the `contact surface. That is, as the wire emergesfrom the furnace andr is segmentedby the knife 3S,l substantial portions of lthe ends ,of the individual pieces will have a casing A similar` to that of the major portion of the' contact.

ln Figure 7 there is shown a schematic sketch which illustrates generally a method of providing a continuous batchtreatment of platinumvvire or strips 4 1', ,in` which 'works 4 2fof ceramic or other "suitable" materials vvliich are carried by. a conveyor 43`.` At prede"tfnjniinedu timeA I intervals, the yconveyor 43l operatesl to movefaprepared batch of rWires 41`into thefurnacelyanda treatedbatch f wires 41 out of thefurhace 4. f. Suitable automatic means for loading theconveyor andluforremoving the alloyedstrips fromA the framework and cuttingsameinto the desired `lengths `may r'be "usedy with the "illustratedI f systeminan obvious manner. `Other systems for dilu'sl:

, ing thejainc `into platinumrnetal thighternperatu'res,013` f the Ause: ofthereducing or inert gases are consideredto y be "within` the scbpe of this invention. [.tA is understoodv alsoL that"theforegoingmethods mayfbe used to providefcontacts" composed of alloysof the platinumA family "and coated maybe of anysform, shape or thickness, the

trated sheets and wires being vmerely shown hereinjfor 4 purposes of example. f f l u `A Thesource of zinc in this -particularpmethodf isplac'ed f Within Ythe furnace Aclosely ladjacent theplatinun'ij orfV alternatively, the zinc vapor is supplied.` `a higlf'hco1 centrationfrornan outside source of supply. .Q Differie'nL es" in tnequamityer zine requiredwin'epviouny be pendentiupon At1f1"I1,S, .ter'npeiautresv thicknesses of coatirlg.4

being generally` suppliedtothe` system in mo tovinfsurethorough.peretiiatiorn` The use' bf-"a soue off zinc`in` a ratio of 10 to 1" (zinc to 'platinuinjl hasfh foundvtor'be satisfactory., u A` verygoodsource of zinc vapor from the evop lutionu of zinc 'is not toorapidisfan alloyofcopper,A nickel" and"zin`c (called Nickel Silver) containing 13 to`r27n2; zinc, which is placedin shortstrips about?thelplatinum.` Forexample', Nickel Silver 18%'Acontains`65%fcop per, 18% nickel and 17% zincand Nickel'SilverlflZiB1 contains 55% copper, 18% nickel and`27r% Zinc.` Any alloy vvhichy Will furnish zinc `as a 4vapor by ditfusior'il therefrom, as for example German Silver,tonafoinpound` such as zinc carbonyl, cyanide, ornitratetare satisfactory materials foruse in the process. Pure zinc may"alsobe used, Vthe ,zinc in such`case being volatilizeditin thel'fulr; nacecor in" aseparate stillaud then piped thereto. l Obf'f viously "a material which contains little Azinc orfurnis'hesy only asmall 4amount will have" to bel used in larger Quan; tities and vice versa. i l

The reaction `tubemay be composedlofquartz or other high temperature materials. One materialcommercially .s available as lnconel comprises nickel, 14%. Cr `andf 6%A iron,`its solidus temperature beingm1395,` CQ and-fits" liquidus temperature 1425` C. The' ally isl knownto be resistant to corrosion `by nitrogen and hydrogen' atlele'- vated temperatures, and it "has'been successfully used A. with. ammonia1in nitriding operations. In theuseofthis particular alloythe inletelnd of the furnace setlfortli` in Figure 1 might `Well be adapted to permit removal of the;

.purposes of disclosure.

tube through the muliiefor cleaning purposes. The tube could be tapped and a threaded plug having an inlet tube for gases and well extending to the hot zone to receive the thermocouple, could be used therewith. The outlet end of the tube might be tted with a flange on which are provided several studs equipped with wing nuts. A at end plate containing the outlet tube forgases could be slotted to receive the studs and fastened in place by the wing nuts. Cooling for the tube ends could be effected by circulating water in coils-0f copper tubing.

The atmosphere which is used in the furnace in these methods apparently acts as a carrier for the zinc and appears to have desirable cleansing and iluxing properties. The gas therefore should not be deleterious with respect to zinc, platinum, or the resulting alloy. Gases which have been found to be acceptable include any nonoxidizing or essentially oxygen free gas which also includes gases which are inert or reducing. By way yof example, gases which have proven satisfactory in the process include ammonia, argon, helium, hydrogen and nitrogen. Other gases having similar nonoxidizing characteristics may be used, these gases being merely exemplary for all, may form inclusions .at various points in the cross section of the resulting contacts. However, such inclu# sions in very minor amounts do not apparently affect the properties of the resulting alloys.

Theuseful gases can be used singly or mixed together, or in any order. In the process, the passage of the gas through-the system when effected at a rate of about one to iive liters per minute has been found to be very eiicientin causing proper zinc diffusion and concentration.

The temperature range in providing the novel platinumzinc contact alloys of the invention will vary from 700 to about 1200 degrees Centigrade with the apparatus utilized in the test. Designed variations of the describedl system can be used to effect variations in the temperatures which are within the scope of the invention.

Figure 8 shows the correlation between weight increase and temperature in the platinum-zinc alloy for a given time. The characteristics of a substitutional diffusion process are shown by the practically straight-line function of log of weight increase vs. the reciprocal of the absolute temperature, the weight increase relation for platinumzinc alloys providing a more accurate picture of the alloy formation for temperature differences than a case thickness relation. In other words, the weight increase will be found to vary with temperature according to the diffusion laws, i. e., the log of the weight increase is proportional to the reciprocal of the absolute temperature..

The law governing temperature dependence of diffusion in metals is expressed by the equation l D-Ae RT where D is the diffusion coefficient of Zn in Pt, A is a constant dependent upon the metals involved, and Q provides a measure of the activation energy of the reaction required to cause diffusion. Both A and Q are practically independent of temperature. R is the gas constant, and T is the absolute temperature. It can also be shown that D is approximately proportional to x2, where x is the displacement of particles across an area of unity. It can be seen, therefore, that a log plot of D, or a log plot of weight increase, as a function of l/T yields a straight line. Further, some change in phases is noted as the temperature or the time, or both, are varied. For example, Figure 9 shows weight increase as a function of time at a given temperature, greater quantities of zinc being absorbed with longer periods of time.

v The process can be carried out for any lengthof time to vary'the alloy being produced. A treating period of more than 12 hours in the described system, for example, provides an alloy of higher zinc content. Good results, as to case thickness, hardness, efficiency of method, etc.,

Certain of these gases but not ous methods or' providing various alloys of the platinum family and zinc, the manner of providing individual phases of each of these alloys, the manner of providing alloys of this family having several of the phases thereof, and particularly the manner of providing an .alloy including .the first phase which has proven extremely satisfactory for use in certain electrical contact applications. Other methods within the scope of the invention will be apparent to parties skilled in the art with 1reference to the following disclosure.

EXAMPLE 1 Platinum wire .020 inch in diameter was sectioned and polished and a series of nine Knoop hardness indentations were placed on a diameter across the cross section. Distances across all indentations were measured using 250 X magnification and a micrometer eyepiece. The distances from wire edges to adjacent indentations were also noted. The specimen was then heatedat 1,000 C. for 4 hours in the presence of thirty parts nickel silver (an alloy containing 55% Cu, 18% Ni, 27% Zn) to one part of Pt, under an atmosphere of nitrogen in the furnace utilizing the apparatus that is shown in Figure l. The gas ilow rate was 3,000 cc./min.

After treatment the specimen was re-measured in the same manner and thefollowing results .were observed.

The distances as measured and as indicated below are in inches.

Before treatment Figure l0, X, shows a sample of the material as produced by this method under the conditions given. The sample as shown thereat has been sectioned, polished and electrolytically etched to show the case obtained at 1050 C. for 9 hours. In the iigure the central core 41 is Pt in which some zinc is dissolved, and constitutes the irst, or alpha, phase of the alloy. The area or zone42 designated as the case is a mixture of the alpha and PtZn phases and has the predominantly tetragonal structure. Contacts made by process and subjected to given test conditions along with the control platinum contact which did not have the treatment indicated that an increase in life span of at least 10 times may be expected.

EXAMPLE 2 The aforementioned process was repeated using H2, He, and NH3. No change in zinc diiusion was observed.

EXAMPLE 3 Melt process.-Platinum zinc alloys were prepared by a melt processl in the following manner. The platinum and zinc were measuredin powdered form to the desired composition on an analytical balance, the samples for experimental purposes being of theV order of one or two r' grams in weight. mixed and compacted at about 70,000` p. s. i. in a one quarter inch cylindrical die to insure a mass which was dense enough to develop sufficient eddy currents for melting. The specimens 4were then placed in alundum cruciblesV and melted at normal pressures with controlled heating underan inert atmospherel in aninduction heater, the batch being held in themolten state for about five minutes to insure homogeneity.

Figure 1-4 is a photomicrograph (100X) `of anetched specimen of VZn-95% Pt\(alpha phase of the alloy platinum-zinc) made according to the above method. Figure' 15 is a photomicrograph (100 X) of an etched specimen of Zn-90% Pt, Figure 16 is a photomicrograph (100 X)` of an etched specimen of 15% Zn-S5,%

Pt, and Figure 17 is -a photomicrograph (100 X) of an etched specimenof 20% Zn'80% Pt, all of which were made bythe melt method.

This method has the advantage of speed in producing platinum and zinc alloys.

In the preparation of contacts from the alloy manufactured by this process, `thin sheets were cut, ground, andjpolished on both sides toa thickness of to 20 mils andcontacts were then slicedfrom the thin sheets.

EXAMPLE `4 The alloywas also made by the packing method which involved subjecting the `noble platinum metal to heat treatment while it iS `ern'lnleddefd[in an intimately mixed pack of powdered aluminaLAlg/Oa andlzinc and heating at approximately 750 C. Aforapproximately 30 minutes.

method.

EXAMPLE 5 A small ingot oflow zinc content palladium-zincjor wire drawing was provided bymixing powdercompacts of the desired composition and weight and sinteringsame at 500 C. for six hours and 900 C. for one hour. The compacts wererthen melted and cast in a centrifugal casting device, the molds used being lo inch in diameter and four inches long. The molds were preheated to 2,000" F. and the melting was accomplished with a reducing oxyacetylene ame in a Crucible designed with an outlet to the mold. With the charge in a molten state, and the mold in place, the centrifugal mechanism was actuated. Several phases of the alloy werecast in this manner.

EXAMPLE 6 An ingot of palladiumzinc was cast by an induction melting method in which the alloy to be melted was placed in a porcelain crucible and inserted inside a chamber made of Vycor glass which is inside the induction coil. The top of the glass chamber was closed with an alundum stopper and helium was admitted into the chamber through an inlet in the bottom, and exhausts around the alundum stopper. A quartz tube having an inside diameter similar `to the desired ingot diameter was admitted into the chamber through` a hole in the alundum stopper. The quartz tube was connected by a rubber hose to an exhausting hand pump so that as the alloy becomes molten, the end of the quartz tube is lowered into the melt, the tube is exhausted, and the molten metal is drawn therebyinto the quartz tube' and cast. Heat from an acetylene torch or resistance heater was applied to the casting tube during the operation and rods having a diameter of .l inch and a length of up to 8 inches were provided by these means. l

EXAMPLE 7 In onespecie method of manufacturing contact members, `lengths of `material provided by the `casting technique `ofExample 6 wereswaged through several dies, annealed atfrom 900 C. to1000 C. for l0 to 30 minutes andfurther reduced by drawing and annealing operations Next, the samples were thoroughly,`

with intermediate annealing at 1000 C. for ZO/minutes tol 0.020 inch .in` diameter.

' EXAMPLE s Zinc was alloyed with analloy of Pt-f10% Irby the `vapor diiusion process according to Example 1. The

platinumyiridium `was heatexl at 1,000 C.;for` twelve` hours in the presence o f nickel-silver, an alloy of 55% Cu, 1,8% `Ni and 27% `Zriilnderan` atmosphere 2f-H2` A case was Ufoi-meri.-

Zinc was alloyed with an alloy,ofi90% Pt-10% Rh` by thevaporjdiffusion process according to Example il.'

The platinum-rhodium was heated at 1,000 C. for twelve hours in 'the presence of nickel-silvenan alloy of 55% Cu, 18%Ni and27% Zn under an atmosphere of H g. Acase'was formed. i

' Exist/1131.12 1,0 Zinc was alloyed with -an alloy -of 90%Pt-10% Ruby the vapor diiusion process according to Example 1. Thev platinumruthenium was heated at 1,000 C. for twelvehours in the presence of ,nickelfsilvexg an alloy of 55% Cu, 18% Ni and 27% Zn` under an atmosphere of H2. A case was formed.` V

EXAMPLE 11 A Zincwasalloyed with an Valloy of 90% -Pt-6% Osby the vapor diffusion process according to Example l. The platinumosmiumwasheated at 1 ,000 C. for twelve hours in the'presence ofniclel-silver, an alloyof 55 %r Cu,` 18% Ni and 27% Zn `under an atmosphere of H2. A case was formed.

` GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS The resistivity and temperature coeflcient of resistivity were determined jfor a samplecontaining r10% Zn and 90% nPt. A resistivity of about 2.7 X 10-5 ohm-cm; was observed. Thetemperature coeicient of resistivity was approximately 1.3\ 10*3- for Vtemperatures from 30 C. to,300`C.` 'Me asurements were made potentiornetrically` usinga ltype .KV potentiometer. PurePt and Zn have rels istivities `of 10X 1 0*6 and 16X 1,0"e ohm-cm. respectively, at 20 C. They exhibit temperature coeicients of about 3.3 X103 and 3.7X 10"3 from 20 C. to`300 C. These comparisons reveal the alloy has a higher resistivity and lower temperature coefficient of resistivity than platinum or zinc alone. Athigher ltemperatures the resistivity is n-ot objectionable and is comparable to platinum. Thus, the element is not subject to adverse burning or melting.

As shown in Figure 1.1, X, the novelcontact materials of the present invention are easily attached t-o base contact or current-carrying members, in this case `a nickeliron magnetic type base, by spot welding. In such cases they readily form large llets between `the contact itself and the current-carrying member. .These fillets apparently aid materially in securing the contactto the current-carrying base.

Tests were conducted utilizing the novel4 Contact material in a conventional telephone relay of the well known McBerty type. As shown, in the photomicrograph, Figure 12, the contacts of the present invention, vmounted on each jelectrode `as wires perpendicular to each other (which is the-preferred f-orm), are practicallyunaffected after -a long period of operation,in,the present case over 3 million operations (150 ma. load, 1A mfd., 150 ohms). Platinum contacts under the same conditions of loading and operation are shown in Figure 13, where it is to be observed that the contacts have been badly Worn. Life tests on the alloy of the present invention under conditions involving low value currents and frequent operation, such as are commonly experienced in the telephony and telegraphy elds, indicate that a life span in the order of twenty years may be expected as compared to two years for known materials.

The alloy made be used in both polarities of a contact set or in different combinations. The use of the platinum-zinc alloy as the cathode element against a pure platinum anode has been particularly successful in elementary tests. The use of other metals with the platinum-zinc alloy as the cathode have also proven successful.

In summary, it is readily seen that the present invention teaches a new and novel alloy or composition comprised 4of a member of the platinum family and zinc. The alloy is characterized in certain instances by the development of a hard case or phase of platinum or platinum family and zinc on a base material. The invention also teaches methods for providing members of a single phase of the alloys or of a plurality of phases. The contact alloys have a higher hardness and resistance to deformation than conventional materials and inhibit material transfer much better than other contact materials.

These alloys taught herein are especially suitable for low current applications, and can be used in both polarities, or either polarity, or in different combinations Working against refractory metals or refractory compounds with metals, such as carbide materials, or with nonrefractory metals, such as gold and silver -or their alloys, or other contact metals and alloys.

The results obtained with the new platinum-zinc alloy show that it welds more readily to electrically conducting supporting members than prior art metals or alloys used heretofore, and that the contacts of the present invention have good electrical and thermal conductivity, and re sistance to the formation of surface films or corrosion.

The platinum-zinc alloy can be provided in various phases Ior combinations thereof as set forth in the several methods and processes taught herein. Further, the alloy may be cast, drawn or swaged to various desired forms which are more convenient to use.

What is claimed is:

1. An electrical contact member formed of an alloy consisting essentially of at least one member of the platinum family and zinc, said alloy not having in excess of about 35 percent by weight of zinc.

2. An electrical contact member consisting essentially of an alloy of platinum 4and zinc in at least one of the phases alpho and PtZn.

3. An electrical contact member for use with electrical equipment consisting of a platinum-zinc alloy contacting surface of the alpha phase having a Knoop hardness of from 100 to 150 numbers said alloy having not in excess of about percent by weight of zinc.

4. The method of providing an electrical contact member consisting essentially of at least one member of the platinum group and zinc said zinc being not in excess of 35 percent by weight, which comprises the steps of measuring the member of the platinum group and Zinc in powdered form to the desired composition, mixing same, compacting the mixture under high pressures in a die, placing same in an alundum Crucible, melting the mass by induction heating at atmospheric pressure under an inert atmosphere, holding the mass in the molten state for approximately five minutes, and cooling same.

5. The method of providing an electrical contact member consisting essentially of a member of the platinum group and zinc, said zinc being not in excess of 35 percent by weight which includes the steps of mixing powder compacts of the desiredvcomposition and weight, sintering same at approximately 500 centigrade for six hours and at approximately 900 centigrade for one hour.

6. An electrical contact member formed of an alloy consisting essentially of zinc substitutionally diffused in at least one member of the platinum group, the alloy having not in excess of 35 percent by weight of zinc.

7. The method of providing an electrical contact member consisting essentially of platinum and zinc, said zinc being not in excess of 35 percent by weight, which comprises the steps of vembedding the platinum in an intimately mixed pack of powdered lalumina and zinc, and subjecting the mix to heat in the order of 500 to 750 degrees centigrade for approximately one hour.

8. An electrical contact member comprising a current conducting 'base having a surface comprised of an alloy consisting of a member of the platinum family and zinc, said alloy not having in excess of about 35 percent by weight of zinc.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 949,837 Page Feb. 22, 1910 1,779,602 Kingsbury Oct. 28, 1930 2,058,857 Emmert Oct. 27, 1936 2,191,666 Kieffer Feb. 27, 1940 2,319,364 Ziegs May 18, 1943 2,406,172 Smithells Aug. 20, 1946 2,413,604 Colbert et al. Dec. 31, 1946 2,418,710 Hensel Apr. 8, 1947 2,432,657 Colbert et al Dec. 16, 1947 2,446,908 Corbin Aug. 10, 1948 OTHER REFERENCESl Deville et al.: Chemical News, vol. 46, July 7, 1882. Page 10 relied on.

Hodgkinson et al.: Chemical Society Journal, new series, vol. 78, 1900, part 2. Page 282 relied on.

Hansen: Aufbau der Zweistofegiunger, Ann Arbor: Edwards Bros., Inc., 1943, page 1026.

Rosenhain: Introduction to Physical Metallurgy, New York, Van Nostrand, 1923, page lll.

Gmelins Handbuch, 8 Auflage, System-Nummer. 68, Teil A-Lieferung 5, 1949. Page 5 82, 

1. AN ELECTRICAL CONTACT MEMBER FORMED OF AN ALLOY CONSISTING ESSENTIALLY OF AT LEAST ONE MEMBER OF THE PLATINUM FAMILY AND ZINC, SAID ALLOY NOT HAVING IN EXCESS OF ABOUT 35 PERCENT BY WEIGHT OF ZINC. 